Meeks leaves Lakers for 3-year, $20M deal with Pistons

Jodie Meeks became the first Laker to switch teams this summer when he agreed to a three-year contract with the Detroit Pistons reported to be worth just shy of $20 million.

The deal, which can not be completed until July 10 when players can sign new contracts, marked a significant pay raise for Meeks, who made $1.5 million last year with the Lakers.

Yahoo Sports first reported Meeks’ new contract.

While the injury-riddled Lakers struggled to a 27-55 record, Meeks thrived in his second season with the team. The former Kentucky guard averaged a career-high 15.7 points while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 40 percent on 3-pointers.

“I love playing here,” Meeks said after his exit interview in April. “Even though it was disappointing with all the losses, I feel like guys were professionals and we worked hard every day to try to win every game.”

At the time, Meeks indicated he wanted to return. However, the Lakers are likely hamstrung on their ability to make any moves until there is clarity on the futures of Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. While James seems most likely headed back to Miami, the Lakers reportedly scheduled a meeting with Anthony on Thursday in Los Angeles.

The Lakers reached out to a number of their own free agents – including leading scorers Nick Young and Pau Gasol – early in the negotiating period, which opened Monday at 9:01 p.m.

Gasol, 33, spent seven-plus seasons with the Lakers and is a free agent for the first time. On Tuesday he tweeted, “Lots of phone calls from teams that are interested in me to be a key part of their goals. A lot to be considered.”

RANDLE TO SEE SPECIALIST

Julius Randle is expected to participate on the Lakers’ summer league team, starting July 11 in Las Vegas. But first he flew to Indiana to visit Dr. David Porter, a foot specialist who will help determine whether the No. 7 pick in last week’s draft requires any further procedures.

The Lakers do not believe Randle will need surgery to remove a screw in his right foot that was inserted during high school. The team stressed Porter’s exam was entirely precautionary and a sign of due diligence.

“We don’t expect anything different to come up,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, “but we’ll know more towards the end of the week.”

Assuming the Lakers’ top draft choice is able to play in Las Vegas, he will be part of a Lakers squad that includes Kendall Marshall, second-round pick Jordan Clarkson and former Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois.

Beaubois played 182 games over four seasons with Dallas, but was hampered by injuries and most recently played with Spirou Carleroi of the Belgian league. With Dallas, Beaubois averaged 7.1 points, and played a key role on the 2011 team that topped the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs en route to the NBA title.

The roster also features seven undrafted rookies, including Iowa State's DeAndre Kane and Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross. The Lakers squad will start practicing on Monday and opens the Las Vegas summer league against Toronto on July 11.